December 23 - Revelation 20-22
Revelation 20 ushers us into a new era in history. We call it the millennium, because that word means 1,000 years. It will be the time right after Jesus returns. Satan will be bound, Jesus will reign with His saints, and all of the people left from the tribulation time will worship Jesus. It will be a period of peace and what I call "enforced righteousness." However, when Satan is loosed at the end of the 1,000 years, most of the people will still follow him because their hearts were not changed. This proves that laws never change people. Only Jesus can change a heart.
After Jesus puts down the rebellion, He conducts the Great White Throne judgment for all unbelievers. This is the second resurrection. Everyone goes to the Lake of fire for eternity, because they did not accept Christ, but they are judged on their works, because God wants us to know that we are accountable for what we do and don't do in life. It is only after this judgement that the saints enter the New Jerusalem, which is our dwelling place with God for eternity. This is described in chapters 21 and 22. It is interesting to me that Revelation 21:4 speaks of us having our tears wiped away. We would have had our eternal bodies for a while at this point. We will have been with Jesus for more than 1,000 years. Why would we be crying? It could be that we will see the ones at the Great White Throne judgment to whom we should have witnessed, and we will realize that their blood is on our hands as it says in Ezekiel 3. If so, there will be many tears to dry before we enter eternity with the Lord. Let's try to do what we can to keep the blood off of our hands.
The description of heaven is wonderful. There is no pain, sickness, death, or even lonely nights there, because we have the glory of God to lighten our way and our hearts. We need no temple, because the worship is in the Lord's presence. We have the food from the tree of life and water from the river of life, so we have all we need for eternal life, as we reign with Christ for ever. (22:5) The one thing that will not be there is any unchanged person. (21:8; 22:14) The Bible is very clear about that here. No one can talk his way or fake his way into heaven. It is only by the grace of God, which changes a person forever. Then, there is one final invitation to come to Jesus. (22:17) If you don't know Him, come to Him now. If you know someone who needs Him, tell him or her now. One day it will be too late, and Jesus is coming.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 1-11. I began this blog with Exodus 1 on January 13, 2005. I would like to complete the Bible before January 1, 2006, so I can start a new journey for 2006. In the coming year I will read both Old and New Testament passages each day, which will allow more reflection on the New Testament. I hope it will be a blessing to you.
After Jesus puts down the rebellion, He conducts the Great White Throne judgment for all unbelievers. This is the second resurrection. Everyone goes to the Lake of fire for eternity, because they did not accept Christ, but they are judged on their works, because God wants us to know that we are accountable for what we do and don't do in life. It is only after this judgement that the saints enter the New Jerusalem, which is our dwelling place with God for eternity. This is described in chapters 21 and 22. It is interesting to me that Revelation 21:4 speaks of us having our tears wiped away. We would have had our eternal bodies for a while at this point. We will have been with Jesus for more than 1,000 years. Why would we be crying? It could be that we will see the ones at the Great White Throne judgment to whom we should have witnessed, and we will realize that their blood is on our hands as it says in Ezekiel 3. If so, there will be many tears to dry before we enter eternity with the Lord. Let's try to do what we can to keep the blood off of our hands.
The description of heaven is wonderful. There is no pain, sickness, death, or even lonely nights there, because we have the glory of God to lighten our way and our hearts. We need no temple, because the worship is in the Lord's presence. We have the food from the tree of life and water from the river of life, so we have all we need for eternal life, as we reign with Christ for ever. (22:5) The one thing that will not be there is any unchanged person. (21:8; 22:14) The Bible is very clear about that here. No one can talk his way or fake his way into heaven. It is only by the grace of God, which changes a person forever. Then, there is one final invitation to come to Jesus. (22:17) If you don't know Him, come to Him now. If you know someone who needs Him, tell him or her now. One day it will be too late, and Jesus is coming.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 1-11. I began this blog with Exodus 1 on January 13, 2005. I would like to complete the Bible before January 1, 2006, so I can start a new journey for 2006. In the coming year I will read both Old and New Testament passages each day, which will allow more reflection on the New Testament. I hope it will be a blessing to you.